Snider will be back in action for Triple-A Saturday

Snider had been out of action since mid-May because of a jammed right
wrist. He began his rehab in extended spring training before appearing in
five games for Class A Dunedin.

The 24-year-old could be considered for a promotion to the big leagues in
the near future but will first need to prove he is back to full strength.

"He just has to play well, get back in Las Vegas, get hot, start playing
well to put himself into the mix," general manager Alex
Anthopoulos said. "But he's going to need some at-bats, obviously more
than a game or two, just to show he's locked in and playing as well as he
did before he got hurt."

Snider posted a .333 average with five home runs and 27 RBIs in 26 games
for Las Vegas. He has spent parts of four seasons
in the Major Leagues, and is a career .248 hitter with 28 homers and
104 RBIs in 799 at-bats.

Injuries create opportunity for Cecil

TORONTO -- The dire situation the Blue Jays' pitching staff has found itself in has opened the door for Brett Cecil.

The left-hander was promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday
afternoon and is set to make his season debut on Sunday afternoon against
Philadelphia.

Cecil was expected to open the season as the Blue Jays' No. 3 starter, but
after an inconsistent Spring Training, he was instead optioned to the Minor
Leagues. A series of injuries to the rotation has given Cecil a
shot at redemption.

"He pitched very well in [Double-A New Hampshire]," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "The reports we got from the
staff down there were very strong.

"We wanted to see -- it was just one start in Las Vegas -- how that
was going to carry over, and [assistant GM] Tony LaCava was there and said he
looked very good. So he has worked hard, he has maintained his approach,
and we think he's going to be able to help the team."

Cecil struggled with control and a lack of velocity during the spring,
but the Blue Jays maintain that some of those issues have been resolved. He reportedly has added a few miles per hour to his fastball, but more
important, the overall command seems to have improved.

The 25-year-old posted a 3-2 record and 3.38 ERA in nine starts with New
Hampshire. He also struck out 34 and walked just 14 in 42 2/3 innings
before being promoted to Las Vegas.

Cecil was expected to stay in Las Vegas for an extended period of time, but
the injuries forced the club's
hand. Right-handers Brandon Morrow and Kyle Drabek were both placed on the
15-day disabled list this week, and there was a clear need for
reinforcements.

"He just wasn't commanding the ball the way he has in the past,"
Anthopoulos said of Cecil's spring. "He has a plus changeup,
throws strikes. That's one thing he has always done, so if he's not
throwing strikes, he's not the same guy.

"I think he's in a great place right now. [He] understood going
down [that he] needed to get himself right, and sounds like he did get himself
right."

Toronto has yet to announce who will fill the second vacancy in the
rotation. The Blue Jays will need a starter for Tuesday, and
it's possible a third spot was created on Friday night, when right-hander
Drew Hutchison was forced to leave his start after just nine pitches
because of soreness in his right elbow.

Triple-A right-handers Jesse Chavez, Robert Coello and Joel Carreno were
considered the main candidates for Tuesday's outing. It's now possible that two
will get the call.